Hi everybody. I hope everything is good. It's been a while since I shared anything on my blog page. This time I would like to share some real-time stories of people who are already discussed on the "Humans of Bombay" page. If people knew about this page, then they would have read many motivational, touching, and heart-breaking stories of individuals shared on that page.
I would like to collect some of the stories and write them up in my own way. Scroll down to read about them in detail.
Blind – Still success is not denied!!
First, I would like to discuss about a woman named Savitri, who is blind from birth. Here we can read through her experiences about her childhood, education, struggle to get into college, and the person she is now. When she was young, her father went missing suddenly (no traces left of him). Her mother passed away after some days of her father's being missing. Then she was taken to her uncle's place, and she started depending on her uncle and aunt. Her uncle helped her to get into blind boarding school. She studied hard and even scored the highest percentage in her 10th grade and topped first out of all.
Because of her good grades, she won her scholarship to pursue her higher studies. So, she decided to move to a hostel (especially meant for blind people) and not to create any burden on her uncle. But after some days, she decided to check on her uncle and aunt. To her surprise, they had already left with their belongings packed, leaving no note or address for their new residence.
This was a huge shock for Savitri, as she was left alone, and she had to live on her own with no one to depend on. When she was abandoned, she was hardly 17 years old and was living in Mumbai city. She was puzzled about what to do next. At that moment, she built up her self-confidence by uttering these words to herself: "Listen Savitri, you were all on your own. Be your biggest supporter. You can do it."
These words actually boosted her energy level, and she started looking for a way. She decided to live in the same blind hostel and started to pursue computer courses using the scholarship money. In addition to that, she had to attend the vocational classes that were taking place in the blind hostel. She tried to manage the time to prepare for both the classes. At times, she even runs to computer class by grabbing her walking stick. This cycle continued for almost 4 years, and she equally balanced both of them. After this, she decided to do her degree in college. Some people had approached to sponsor her, but suddenly they backed off without any notice. That was the moment her angel, Anita ma’am, came into her life. She was a nun who was working as a professor at that college. When she figured out Savitri's needs, she consoled her and asked her to meet her in the office. She tried to sort out things and also arranged some funds for Savitri to complete her degree at the college.
Savitri found it difficult at first to adjust to her new environment at college, but she did so with the help of her aunt Anita. She also once suffered from severe epilepsy and fainted. Even at that time, Anita aunt rushed towards the hospital to stay next to her and even bear her medical expenses without any second thoughts. Anita aunt even helped her to collect notes, because she didn’t want her medical condition to affect her studies. This actually boosts Savtri’s confidence and tells her to not give up.
After Savitri’s graduation, she moved to another college to pursue her higher studies. Though the new college was pretty good, she missed her angel (Anita aunt) there. Still, she somehow managed things and continued to study harder. At her new campus, the environment remains active and was also given extra care to make life easier for blind people. Even Savitri gave ideas for building steps and rods, so that blind people can roam around the campus easily. These ideas were even recognized by the college and made possible.
Soon after her studies, she continued to work as a facilitator (a person who plans, manages, and guides group events to meet their goals on time) in the college library for the next 3 years. In these years of time, she completed her Master’s (degree) and felt as if it was her time to step into the next chapter of her life. Around 2018, she decided to do a Ph.D. and she submitted her proposal to one of the top colleges in the city. It was accepted, and she started to work on her research.
Today, when she looked back at the path she had passed on, she said to herself that it was not easy. In each phase, she really gave her full effort and hard work to make things work. But for sure, she believes all her hard work has paid off at last. In the next 3 years, she will complete her Ph.D. and decide to work for people who look unimportant or powerless in society, including blind people. On the whole, helping people who are in need is her motto. She wishes to be there for people who are in need and doesn’t want them to suffer alone as she did once.
POLIO – JUST A DISEASE, STILL THINGS CAN BE ACHIEVED!!
Second comes the story of a 29-year-old man who was struck by adult polio out of the blue. Unfortunately, the name of the victim is not listed anywhere on the page. So, to make it simple, we can call him Joey. One night, suddenly, Joey found difficulty moving his right arm. The next morning, he rushed towards the hospital to figure out his issues. The doctor went through numerous tests on him and was not able to find the reason for the immobility. Joey had lost mobility in his left arm prior to the diagnosis.
After a week, Joey came to know that he was suffering from adult polio. Even doctors were a bit surprised by the result. After hearing the result, Joey's world crashed. He was married two years ago, and he and his wife planned to start their life and have a child. But everything turned upside down in a fraction of a second.
Joey was flooded with thoughts like how he could drive, take care of his business and so on. But while he was worried, his wife stood with him and she always consoled him, saying, "I’m there for you. She also made sure to live up to her words and make him feel reassured that everything was OK. Joey also had some good friends who visited him at the hospital and cheered him up daily.
Joey was discharged from the hospital after two weeks and was advised to undergo physiotherapy daily to improve his arm mobility. He also did daily exercises as instructed by the therapist. Within a month, Joey regained his left arm movement. To strengthen his left arm, Joey started using zipper shirts and learned to turn knobs using his feet. He also relearned how to drive again.
Initially, his wife helped him with gears and wheel movement while driving, but soon he learnt the process by himself without any support. Joey even started practicing writing using his left hand with the help of his wife. Joey took almost six months to just practice his signature. Once he did it, his wife hugged him gently, and Joey cried out in happiness.
Though Joey tried to overcome his disability, there was still time he used to break down. He also longed to have a kid. But at the same time, he didn’t like to burden his wife, as he couldn’t be a good father. But his wife changed these thoughts and manifested good thoughts in him, saying he could be the world’s best father. After two years of waiting for his diagnosis, Joey was blessed with a baby girl.
Joey desperately missed the happiness of holding his child in his hands. But Joey’s wife tried to balance things like taking care of him and his child, supporting Joey in his business with full force, and never complained about any of them. Joey followed his routine exercise to strengthen his left arm, and after continuous effort, he regained 50% movement of his left hand.
Later on, Joey started taking care of his business by himself, and then Joey was blessed with two more baby girls. After 5 years, Joey was able to hold one of his daughters in his hand, though it was just for 2 minutes. He considered that moment to be the best thing in the world.
Joey is 55 years old now. It was almost 26 years ago when he was affected by adult polio. He is still convinced that his hands will return to normalcy one day. He just doesn’t spend his life in regret or complaining about disease. Nevertheless, he tried with all his will and learnt to live his life peacefully.
Joey is proud enough to say that he was able to make it and reach this point because of his wife, three daughters, and supportive friends. But polio doesn’t stop him from doing things and living a life full of harmony!
AGE – AIN’T NOTHING, JUST A NUMBER!!
Third comes the story of a woman who fulfilled her dream of opening a cafe at the age of 58. Since the name of this woman is not mentioned anywhere on the page, I will name her Monica. When Monica was in 8th grade, her father made her quit school (as women are not allowed to go out) and got her married off. Monica's life was all good, as a perfect wife and she gave birth to her daughter and a son. She succeeded as a good mother too. To be honest, Monica has no complaints or regrets about her life.
In recent years, Monica got an opportunity to visit Himachal along with her daughter and son-in-law. She also happens to spend her time at her daughter’s cafe. She even enjoyed spending time in the cafe and found peace there. She even started interacting with the customers and befriended most of them.
Once she returned to Mumbai, she decided to start her own cafe. When she shared her idea with her kids, they started laughing and mocking her for being childish. Her son warned her that opening a cafe in the city was a huge risk. But Monica was stubborn enough to stay strong in her decision because this was her first time, and she was excited about doing something for herself. So, she said to her son, "Whatever happens, I will open a cafe."
After seeing Monica’s decision, her kids supported her in opening up a new cafe. They also helped her with arranging machines, looking for perfect spots. In a period of 3 months, Monica succeeded in opening a cafe. She named her cafe "The Barmecha House." When Monica stepped into the shop, the happiness and gratitude she felt can’t be described in words.
When Monica encountered her first customer, coming into the cafe, she served them with full enthusiasm. Though she had no hands-on experience of operating the cafe machine to generate a bill, she still did it by getting support from her kids.
One of the funniest things Monica did was, when generating the bill of 420 rupees for one of the customers, she added it as 42000 rupees. She even burst out in laughter when she recalled this incident. In fact, that customer was a regular at the cafe until today. Her business scale increased slowly, and the cafe earned a good name in the market.
Now, after her cafe dream, Monica decided to buy a car at the age of 58. She walked into the showroom and bought her new car. A woman who was not able to ride a cycle is now the owner of the cafe and owns a car. Though she was restricted to do things on her own, now she has came out of her closure and made things possible in spite of her age!
I hope these stories are motivating and help us to cherish the things we have instead of worrying about things we don’t have now. Stay tuned for my next blog.!!
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